Electrode holder



March 30, 1948. c. CAMILLERI ELECTRODE HOLDER Filed Nov. 23, 1944 RNE Y3 Patented Mar. 30, 1948 ELECTRODE HOLDER Charles Camilleri, Detroit,Mich, assignor to Bordon Mfg. (30., Inc., Detroit, Mich, a corporationof Michigan Application November 23, 1944, Serial No. 564,807

5 Claims. I 1

My invention relates to a new and useful improvement in an electrodeholder adapted for use in arc welding operations. The electrode holderis of the screw operated type in which a pair of parts are adapted formovement relatively to each other axially to eiTect a clamping of theelectrode against a pair of opposed faces. In such type of holders,there is usually employed a handle in which is mounted a metallic partto which the electric cable is connected, this metallic part beingusually termed a cable connector. Associated with this handle is a capor head which telescopes thereon or therein and which carries an opposedface for engaging the electrode. In a commonly constructed type of screwoperated holder, a rod is projected forwardly from the cable connectorand serves, upon axial movement of the handle and the head, foreliecting a clamping of the electrode between the electrode engagingface of the head or cap and the end or" the rod. In this type ofconstruction, therefore, the cable terminates at a distance from theelectrode equal to the length of the rod and the thickness of the baseof the cable connector,

which is formed cup shaped. An object of the present invention is toprovide an electrode holder of this class so constructed that the baseof the cup-shaped cable connector bears directly against the electrodeso that the distance between the end of the cable and the electrode willbe the thickness of the base.

Another difiiculty encountered in these types of holders is that whenthe handle and the head are rotated relatively to each other, the cablewhich is attached to the cable connector also has to be rotated so as totwist the cable and place tension in it. It is an object of the presentinvention to provide an electrode holder in which the twisting of thecable is avoided when the rod is being clamped in position.

Another object of the invention is the provision of an. electrode holderhaving the cable connector swivelly or rotatably mounted in the handleso that when there is relative rotation between the handle the head orcap, the cable connector itself will remain stationary. lhis willprevent any twisting or kinking of the cable and will also prevent unduewear on the end face of the cable connector which would be encounteredwere the cable connector to be rotated while in engagement with theelectrode and moving in clamping relation thereto.

Another object of the invention is the provision of an electrode holderwhich may be easily and quickly assembled and disassembled so thatremoval and replacement of parts may be easily accomplished.

Another object of the invention is the provision in an electrode holderof a handle and an insulating cap telescoping therewith, each of theseparts having interengaging threads for axially moving the same relativeto each other upon relative rotation.

Another object of the invention is the provision of an electrode holderso constructed and arranged that the cap, axially movabl on the handle,will form a guide for the clamping end of the cable connector as thesame moves into clamping relation with the electrode.

Another object of the invention is the provision of an electrode holderin which the heating of the handle will be reduced to a minimum.

Other objects will appear hereinafter.

It is recognized that various changes and modifications may be made inthe detail of structure illustrated without departing from the inventionitself and it is intended that such variations and modifications shallbe encompassed within the scope of the claims which form a part hereof.

Forming a part of this specification are drawings in which,

Fig.1 is a side elevational view of the invention;

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal, vertical, central, sectional view of Fig. 1with a part broken away;

Fig. 3 is a view taken on line 3-3 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken on line 4-4 of Fig. 2, slightlyenlarged;

Fig. 5 is a sectional view taken on line 5-5 of Fig. 2, slightlyenlarged.

In the drawings, I have illustrated a tubular handle 9 formed fromsuitable insulating material such as fiber, a phenolic composition orthe like. I provide a metallic cable connector H] which is formedcup-shaped and in which the bared end ll of the cable I2 is inserted andheld in position by the presser plate [3 against which the set screw 14is threaded. It is obvious that, if desired, the bared end of the cablemay be soldered in the socket iii of the cable connector and themechanical connection embodying the presser plate l3 and the screw l4dispensed with. This cable connector I0 is of a size to fit snugly inthe bore I6 of the handle 9 at the forward end thereof. A peripheralflange H is formed on the cable connector which is of larger diameterthan the bore l6 and which serves to bear against the metallic washer I8which embraces the cable connector. A portion I9 of the handle isthreaded to thread into the open end of the cup-shaped cable or head 20.This cup-shaped member is reduced in diameter at its base to provide thebore or recess 2| which is of such an inside diameter as to snuglyreceive the end of the cable connector I0. Mounted on the base of thebore or recess 2| is a metallic wear plate 22 having the diametricalgroove 23 formed therein in. alignment with the opening 24 formed in thecap or head 20.

The cable connector is provided with a periph-- eral groove 25 in whichengages a pin 26 inserted in the passage 21 formed in the threaded" endl9 of thehandle. This pin 26 serves to. secure the cable connector inthe position shown. in Figs. 2 and 3, and at the same time permits thiscable connector to rotate relatively to the handle 9. Consequently, asthe handle 9'is rotatedrel'ativel-y to the cap or head 20, the cable I2is permitted to remain stationary so that a twisting or kinking of thecable is. avoided, with a consequent elimination of a back lash whichwouldresult from such kinking or twisting.

The head 20" is made from. suitable insulating material, such asasbestos composition or the'like, capable of insulatingboth as to. heatand electricity. In use an= electrodewould be inserted in the opening 'Zl'so as to lie in engagement with the face of the wear plate 22,.thisface being tangent to. the interior of the opening'fl; Upon a relativerotation of' the parts 9 and 20 in one direction, these parts wouldtelescop'eiand the cable connector would move at its base. end intothereduced bore 2] which would serve as a guide for the cable connector: Asthis movement continues a suilicient' amount, the end face" of the cableconnector, which would be the outer face of the base, would engage the.electrode. As the movement continues, this electrode would be clampedbetween the wear plate-22 and thebase of" the cable connector, the cableconnector remaining stationary after engagement with theelectrode,.whi1e the relativerotation of the parts 9 and zllcontinues toeffect the necessary clamp ing action. By having the. cable connectorremain stationary; the face of the same'is not subjected, to the wearwhich it would b'e-Were it to rotate into clamping engagement with theelectrode. The presence of the metal washer l8 would prevent a binding;of thegcable connector against the end of. the threaded portionl 9- ofthe handle. It will be noted that when theparts have been moved intorelative position forcla-mping an electrode in position for use, thecable may terminate a distance from the electrodeequal to the thicknessof thebase 28 of the cableconnector. By bringing the cable as close aspossibl'e to the electrode, a heating of the electrode holder byelectrical resistance is" considerably reduced and in some casesentirely avoided. It is preferred that the cable connector be made ofmetal of high conductivity, such as copper or a copper alloy of highcopper content in order to provide a material. of high conductivity. In.view of the fact that, the end face of the cable connector is notsubjected to excessive wear because of the rotatable or swivel mountingof this cable connector in the handle, it becomes-practicable to formthe cable connector out of soft material such as pure copper. It ispreferr'edhowever, to form this cable connector out of a copper alloy inorder that? a higher degree of hardness may be obtained.

:The wear plate 22 may be secured in the bottom of the bore 'tl ina'nydesired manner, such as by screws or other fastening means, or" itmay be secured merely by forming it of such size that it can be securedin the bore 21 as a press fit.

Formed in the head 26 is an auxiliary opening 29. When the operator hasused an electrode and desires to change electrodes, he may, by insertingthe end of the new electrode in the passage 29 and. gripping the.handle. 9 in one hand, effect a relative rotation of the cap or head 2E3and the handle 3 to release the used electrode from clamped position.The operator may then, by inserting the butt end of the new electrode inthe opening or passage 24, effect a relative rotation oi the cap or head2!} and the handle 9 to bring about the-desired. clamping action.

It. isv believed obvious that the electrode holder constructed in thismanner is possessed of a minimum number of metal parts and that theseparts have been reduced to a minimum size so that an electrode holder ofconsiderable lightness is provided. In View of the fact that all metalparts in whi clr the heat of electrical resistance may residearepositioned well forwardly of the portion of the handle which mayordinarily be gripped by the operator, the portion of the handle grippedby the operator will remain comfortably cool so that the objectionablefeature of the hot handle is thus eliminated.

It is believedcbvious that in assembling or disassembling the holder,asimple operation is required. The cap 23 may be removed from thethreaded end' [-9- of' the handle. To remove the cable connector fromthe handle, it would be but necessary to remove the pin 25 and this maybe easily accomplished when the cap or head 2:3 is removed.

In this manner, I- have provided a cable connector possessingmany'desirable features which will appear obvious to those skilled inthe art and some of which have been referred to herein, while, at thesame time, an electrode holder of lightness and coolness is provided andalso one which maybe economically manufactured.

What I claim as new is:

I. A device of' the class described comprising: a tubular handle ofinsulating material; a metallic cable connector projected at one endinto one end of said'handle and extending outwardly at its opposite endfrom said handle; an electric cable secured at one end to said cableconnector and terminating at its end adjacentthe end of said cableconnector; means for rotatably mounting said cable connector on said,handle in fixed axial relation thereto; and a head threaded onto saidend of said. handle and movable axially thereof upon relative rotationthereto, said head having a bore for reception of the outer end of said.cable connector and provided with a lateral opening extending into saidbore for insertion of an electrode thereinto across the face of theouter end of said cable connector, a relative rotation of said. head andsaid handle effecting a clamping of said electrode against the end faceof. said cable connector, said connector being freely rotatablerelatively to said head.

2. An: electrode holder of the class described comprising: a tubularhandle of insulating material; a metallic cup-shaped cable connector; aperipheral projection onsaid cablev connector, one

end of said cable connector being inserted into one of said handle, saidprojection providing an abutment for limiting the amount of insertion ofsaid cable connector into said handle; means for swivelly mounting saidcable connector inserted atone end into said handle; a wear platebetween the end face of said handle and said peripheral projection, aportion of said end of said handle being peripherally threaded; and acupshaped head threadable onto the threaded portion of said handle andprovided adjacent its base with a lateral opening for reception of thebutt end of an electrode, the relative rotation of said head and saidhandle in one direction a predetermined degree effecting a clamping ofthe outer end of said cable connector against said electrode forsecuring the same in fixed relation to said head.

3. An electrode holder of the class described comprising: a tubularhandle of insulating material having a portion of one end peripherallythreaded; a cup-shaped metallic cable connector adapted for thereception of one end of an electric conductor; a peripheral projectionon said cable connector, said cable connector being insertable at itsopen end into the threaded end of said handle, said peripheralprojection limiting the distance of insertion of said cable connectorinto said handle; a loose Wear plate surrounding said cable connectorand engaging between the end face of said handle and the face of saidperipheral projection; means for securing said end of said cableconnector inserted into said handle and rotatably relative thereto; acup-shaped head having a portion of its periphery internally threadedand threaded upon the threaded end of said handle and provided with alateral opening, opening into the interior thereof for insertion of thebutt of an electrode thereinto, said opening being adjacent the base ofsaid cup-shaped head; a wear plate mounted in said cup-shaped head, withone face substantially tangent to said opening, a relative rotation ofsaid head and said handle in one direction a predetermined degreeeffecting a clamping of said electrode between the end face of saidcable connector and the opposed face of said wear plate.

4. An electrode holder of the class described, comprising: a tubularhandle of insulating material; a metallic cable connector adapted forattachment to an electric cable; an outward projection on said cableconnector, one end of said cable connector being inserted into one endof said handle, said projection providing an abutment for limiting theamount of insertion of said cable connector into said handle; means forswivelly mounting said cable connector inserted at one end into saidhandle a portion of said handle being threaded; and a cup shaped headthreadable onto the threaded portion of said handle and providedadjacent its base with a lateral opening for reception of the butt endof an electrode, the relative rotation of said head and said handle inone direction a predetermined degree effecting a clamping of the outerend of said cable connector against said electrode for securing the samein fixed relation to said head.

5. An electrode holder of the class described. comprising: a tubularhandle of insulating material; a metallic cup shaped cable connector; aperipheral projection on said cable connector, one end of said cableconnector being inserted into one end of said handle, said projectionproviding an abutment for limiting the amount of insertion of said cableconnector into said handle; means for rotatably mounting said cableconnector inserted at one end into said handle, a portion of said end ofsaid handle being threaded; and a cup shaped head threadable onto thethreaded portion of said handle and provided, adjacent its face, with alateral opening for reception of the butt end of an electrode, therelative rotation of said head and said handle, in one direction, apredetermined degree, efiecting a clamping of the outer end of saidcable connector against said electrode for securing the same in fixedrelation to said head.

CHARLES CAMILLERI.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 294,851 Childs et al Mar. 11,1884 2,118,274 Sweda May 24, 1938 2,176,137 Jurkat Oct. 17, 19392,233,618 Leach Mar. 4, 1941 2,330,931 Stafford Oct. 5, 1943 2,351,789Thompson June 20, 1944

